Moving from Milwaukee, WI to Memphis, TN
About 650 miles across a state line, from Wisconsin into Tennessee, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Milwaukee, WI to Memphis, TN covers about 650 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $2,925 – $3,900 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 261 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 650 miles between Wisconsin and Tennessee, this sits in the range where carriers differ most. Some run it dedicated with a firm date; others consolidate it with other shipments and quote a window of 3 to 7 days. The price gap between those two is real — a two-bedroom home runs $2,925 – $3,900 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 12 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Milwaukee to Memphis
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,194 – $2,925 | $1,580 – $2,106 | $1,053 – $1,404 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,633 – $3,510 | $1,895 – $2,527 | $1,264 – $1,685 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,925 – $3,900 | $2,106 – $2,808 | $1,404 – $1,872 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,364 – $4,485 | $2,422 – $3,229 | $1,615 – $2,153 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,803 – $5,070 | $2,738 – $3,650 | $1,825 – $2,434 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,388 – $5,850 | $3,159 – $4,212 | $2,106 – $2,808 |
Transport only, for an estimated 650 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Milwaukee to Memphis
650 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $3,250. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $2,925 to $3,900, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Milwaukee to Memphis
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 261 people a year (±232) moved from Milwaukee County, WI, home to Milwaukee, to Shelby County, TN, home to Memphis. Going the other way: about 179 people a year (±146). Movers from Milwaukee County make up 0.8% of the 33,594 people a year who moved into Shelby County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 1,843 people a year (±1,886) moving from Wisconsin to Tennessee and about 1,131 people a year (±603) from Tennessee to Wisconsin — a net gain for Tennessee of about 712 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Waukesha County, WI | 10,406 ±1,224 |
| Ozaukee County, WI | 2,246 ±567 |
| Racine County, WI | 2,132 ±614 |
| Dane County, WI | 1,494 ±310 |
| Cook County, IL | 1,328 ±358 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| DeSoto County, MS | 2,448 ±743 |
| Rutherford County, TN | 1,527 ±362 |
| Crittenden County, AR | 1,270 ±538 |
| Davidson County, TN | 1,190 ±425 |
| Jefferson County, KY | 819 ±698 |
Licensed movers at each end
26 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Milwaukee (55 counting those licensed only inside Wisconsin). 13 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 24.1% of their 54 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schroeder Moving SystemsUSDOT 512549 | New Berlin · 10 mi | 78 trucks | 0 | — |
| Rock Transfer & Storage IncUSDOT 222303 | Milwaukee · 6 mi | 27 trucks | 41 | 23.1% of 26 |
| C Coakley Relocation Systems CompanyUSDOT 1273553 | West Allis · 5 mi | 20 trucks | 2 | — |
| Anchor Moving SystemsUSDOT 244848 | Menomonee Falls · 14 mi | 12 trucks | 8 | 0.0% of 4 |
| Hernia Movers IncUSDOT 246074 | Milwaukee · 2 mi | 11 trucks | 0 | — |
| Eagle Movers IncUSDOT 689374 | Milwaukee · 2 mi | 10 trucks | 1 | 0.0% of 1 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Memphis end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Memphis: Lanigan Worldwide Moving & Warehousing Inc (Memphis, 20 trucks), Big League Movers Inc (Memphis, 20 trucks), Guardian Moving Systems Inc (Memphis, 17 trucks), Cooper & Cooper Moving Inc (Memphis, 13 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Wisconsin into Tennessee, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Milwaukee to Memphis
Ask: dedicated or consolidated?
This is the distance where carriers split. A dedicated truck costs more and delivers on a date; a consolidated load costs less and delivers in a window. Decide which you are buying before you compare prices.
Get it binding or not-to-exceed
A non-binding estimate is a guess with no ceiling. On 650 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Memphis
A local move inside Memphis later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $455 – $733 for a two-bedroom home and $759 – $1,344 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Memphis are Little Rock (about 151 mi), Jackson (about 229 mi), Nashville (about 230 mi).
Other routes from Milwaukee
All routes from Milwaukee, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee to Madison, WI | ~87 mi | $515 – $845 |
| Milwaukee to Chicago, IL | ~95 mi | $515 – $845 |
| Milwaukee to Green Bay, WI | ~119 mi | $536 – $714 |
| Milwaukee to Grand Rapids, MI | ~132 mi | $594 – $792 |
| Milwaukee to Detroit, MI | ~293 mi | $1,319 – $1,758 |
| Milwaukee to Saint Paul, MN | ~338 mi | $1,521 – $2,028 |
| Milwaukee to Minneapolis, MN | ~347 mi | $1,562 – $2,082 |
| Milwaukee to Cleveland, OH | ~391 mi | $1,760 – $2,346 |
Also moving to Memphis: from Little Rock, AR, from Jackson, MS, from Nashville, TN, from Birmingham, AL.
Milwaukee to Memphis moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Milwaukee to Memphis?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 650 miles cost about $2,194 – $2,925 for a studio, $2,925 – $3,900 for a two-bedroom home and $3,364 – $4,485 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Milwaukee to Memphis take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 12 hours of driving), but the move usually takes 3 to 7 days because it moves on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Milwaukee to Memphis?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $1,404 – $1,872 for a two-bedroom home, against $2,925 – $3,900 with full-service movers; a moving container is $2,106 – $2,808.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Milwaukee to Memphis?
Yes. Milwaukee is in Wisconsin and Memphis is in Tennessee, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 26 listed movers within 30 miles of Milwaukee hold it.
How many people move from Milwaukee to Memphis each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 261 people a year (margin of error ±232) moved from Milwaukee County, which contains Milwaukee, to Shelby County, which contains Memphis.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.